Citroen SM

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The Citroen SM

Engineered by Maserati

The SM was released in Paris at the Autosalon. The Citroen SM was built and engineered by Maserati & Citroen, and the car was nothing short of spectaclular it even had Roues Resin (Carbon fibre wheels) as an optional extra developed specifically by Michelin. They weighed only 4.2 kgs instead 9.4 kgs for a steel version.
 
The SM was basically a racing car with added extra of being a four seater, with a Bosch D-jetronic electronic fuel injection, delivering 178 DIN hp in 1973. The car basically ran the same system as on the DS.
 
New tires 205/70 VR 15 are fitted. This boosted the top speed to around 230 km/h, it was also kitted out with a Borg Warner automatic gearbox.

Citroen SM Specifications

Maserati 90 degree V6, 2670cc 87x75mm
170 DIN hp @ 5500 rpm
2 overhead camshafts per head
3 twin choke Weber carburettors
DIRAVI speed dependant powered steering
195/70 VR 15 X tires, servo disc brakes all round
Fully independent and self levelling suspension
Topspeed: 150 km/h.
 
The fastest front wheel drive car at that time.
 
1975 saw production of the Citroen SM stopped.
 
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Citroen history

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Citroen timeline

A documented timeline of the French cars achievements from 1919 to present day, this timeline outlines release dates of specific Citroen cars, including descriptions of each model.
 
1919 - 1921 Type A

B2 Torpedo von 1920

1919 : 1st production car released with a 1327cc, 18 bhp 68 km/h ts.
 
1920 : Best selling Torpedo 4. The A, 1st french & European built car on a large scale. American production techniques on the european continent. 20,000 cars built.
 
1921 : Torpedo Sport released, 1452cc, 22hp, 75 km/h. 1st to use overhead valves.
 
1922 : A was replaced by the B2.
1922 - 1925 Type B2
 
1922 : B2 released, instant hit. The publicity due to fuel consumption races & taxi fleet.
 
1923 : Normande introduced Caddy featuring 22 hp 90 km/h replaces Torpedo sport.
 
1924 : Caddy production ends.
 
1925 : The B2 replaced by the B10.
1922 - 1926 Type C,C2,C3
 
1922 : The C, cloverleaf released, summer 1922 onwards. 856cc, 11hp, 69 km/h top speed. The Torpedo 2 was bright yellow AKA The Citroen Lemon.
 
1923 : The C Cabriolet 2 places renamed the C2.
 
1924 : Torpedo 3 C2 renamed the C3.
 
1925 : The Torpedo 3 adopts the name Trefle which translates to Cloverleaf.
 
1926 : Torpedo 2 dropped, C3 dropped in 1926 more economical, B10 chosen.
1925-1928 Type B10,B12,B14 - B10 - B12 1926 - B14
 
1927-1928 - Torpedo models change from horizontal to curved.
 
1925 : The B10 introduced.
 
1926 : The B10 replaced by the Citroen B12.
 
1927 : The B10 replaced by the B14 running a 1538cc, 22 hp, top speed 80 km/h). The B14F released featuring Westinghouse servo brakes as standard.
 
1928 : B14G replaces B14 and B14F. Conduite Interieure cars now have a curved roof and Westinghouse brake system.
1929-1932 Type C4,C6 - C4 - C6
 
1929 : Introduction of the AC4 also called C4 running a 1628cc, 30 hp (40% increase), topspeed 90 km/h. AC6 or C6, a 6 cylinder, 2442cc, 45 hp engine capable of 105 km/h.
 
1930 :C4 replaced by the C4 III or C4 NT. The C6 replaced by C6F which now uses 5 wheels bolts covered by a small hubcap.
 
1931 : The C4 renamed C4F, uprated engine and shocks, predecessor of "Moteur Flottant", available as the C4 F Large which has increased track width. The C6F release Grand Luxe running a 2650cc, 53 hp, 110km/h top speed.
 
1932 : Citroen C4 renamed C4G now runs a 1767cc, 32 hp, 95 km/h topspeed. The C6F is replaced by C6G.
April cars now fitted with Floating Power engine suspension, cars are now renamed to C4G M.F.P. , C4G Grand Luxe M.F.P. , C6G M.F.P. , C6G Speciale M.F.P. (MFP - Moteur Floating Power).
 
1933 : The C series is replaced by the Rosalie.
1933 - 1938 - Légère - Grand luxe - Berline - Conduite interieure - Familiale - commerciale
 
Citroen Rosalie van
 
This design originated from the racing Petite Rosalie, achiever of many sprint, speed & long distance records.
A car and van ahead of its time, using aerodynamics in the cars design. The 8 was released in 1933, all the aerodynamics and design were improved, and the vehicle was renamed NH (nouvelle habilage) in 1934. A Torsion bar was added, giving the French manufacturer a lead over its competitors.
1934 - 1957 Faux cabriolet (coupé) - Berline - Limousine - Familiale - Traction Avant 7, 11L, 11, 15, 22
 
Was this to be Citroëns most revolutionary car of its time?
 
It was a mass produced car including unitary construction, front wheel drive, Independent double wishbone front suspension, front and rear torsion bars and modern aerodynamics, it was even lower than other auto's and featured perfect weight distribution.
1948 The 2CV a car that remained in production from 1948-1990
 
This Citroen car was developed for the alpine valleys & back roads of France, for the french farmer who didn't want to remove their hat and needed a car capable of travelling across ploughed fields and cobbled tracks with a tray of eggs without breaking any, comfortably and of course as little maintenance as possible.
 
 
 
2CV
 
Bear in mind this vehicle as seen as a symbol of peace and is seen as Green, it could not be farther from the truth. It gives way more CO2 than many gas guzzlers.
Take a look at the 2 CV
1968 - 1983 Dyane
Another great car the was the Dyane, however this ceased production in 1983.
 
1968 - 1987 Mehari
 
This little 2 CV jeep was released in 1968 and was produced till 1987, the Mehari had a plastic body and ran a 602cc engine.
1961 - 1978 Ami 6, 8, Super and M35
 
The Ami was a comfortable 2cv with a stronger body. April 1961 1st Ami 6 appears.
1970 - 1975 - Citroen SM Sport engineered by Maserati
 
A deal was compiled in 1968 which produce one of the fastest cars the world would see The GT. The french manufactuer bought a large part of Maserati stock, this was the first stage. There idea was to fit Citroën parts to Maserati cars, and the best bit Maserati had the job of engineering the engine for the GT car - The Citroen SM became the fastest front wheel drive car in the world at that time.
SM Sport Maserati
DS and ID 1955-1975 - Berline - Break - Cabriolet
 
Introduced in 1956 the DS 19. The car ran till it ceased production in 1975.
GS and GSA 1970-1986 - Berline - Birotor Berline - Break - Service
 
The GS was a revolutionary car it was 1 of the first cars to combine luxury and comfort in a mid range car.
1987 Saw the whole GSA range cease production.
CX 1974-1991
 
The CX replaced the DS. Although the previous car was very comfortable and a joy to drive, the CX is at a better auto and more modern. In some countries it is is known as the Safari.
1991 - 2006
 
These years brought many new models including the Visa back in the late 80's early 90's then followed on by the AX, and of course the Saxo Era replaced the AXGT and the latest Craze.
 
 
The C Craze the C1 , C2, C3
 
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2CV

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Citroen 2CV

The most highly acclaimed Citroen car ever made, made infamous due to its debut in James Bonds For your eyes only.

 

The 2CV was released 1948 on the Paris Autosalon, designed by Pierre Boulanger it was a start of the show with its extraordinary design. The stand was flooded with people gazing at its revolutionary design and it's technology. The car even had suicide doors, greatly desired in todays cars.

 

 

This car was designed for one simple job, to take a basket full of eggs over the country roads and ploughed fields without breaking one.

 

The 2CV is a very light, very economical and extremely cheap to buy. The ideal car for the masses.

 

Major production of the automobile started back in 1949 with the A Version a 375cc 9hp engine, it came with a basic grey metallic body and a very limited interior, 2 years later a van was added to the range, with each year the 2CV became more popular with new models being released in 1954 including the Berline and Cammionette featuring a 425cc 12hp engine, with a centrifugal clutch.

 

Citroen started to think maybe they should add some more luxury to the car therefore released the AZL, a luxury model of the of the AZ, this model was blinged up with a full chrome trim. An added extra the Bootlid was released in 1957.

 

In 1958 the French car manufacturer took the bold step of turning the 2CV in to a 4x4. The Citroen sahara was released the 4x4 was made possible by adding an additional engine in the boot to drive the rear wheels. 1960 saw the release of the AK350, basically a longer version of the AZU but running a newer AMI6 602 engine.

 

The 2 CV is now known for its suicide doors, however in 1964 Citroen changed the door setup and removed the suicide doors and replaced them with rear opening doors. Side repeaters were added in the front wings and square headlights to the front to create an icon, AK400 a longer version was released, however the car didn't last forever the Acadiane was the last to roll of the production line.

 

An end of the era came when production of the Citroen 2 CV ceased for ever.

 

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The New Citroen C5 X PHEV | First Look and Drive

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This is Citroen's new plug in hybrid - the C5 X.

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Read more: The New Citroen C5 X PHEV | First Look and Drive

 

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Northern Group Of Motoring Writers

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